Title Defense Starts in Malibu

STANFORD, Calif. - Stanford will be making its 39th consecutive postseason appearance when first round competition gets underway at campus sites this weekend.
 
The most decorated program in college history and the winningest program on The Farm, Stanford has won 20 of the possible 38 NCAA championships. Stanford owns a 159-19 all-time record in the postseason since the NCAA Tournament went to its present format in 1982. The Cardinal has won 21 national titles overall in school history, also claiming the 1978 AIAW crown.
 
The Cardinal (14-4, 8-2 Pac-12), which will travel in the opening round for the first time in program history, will face UC Santa Barbara (13-3, 8-0 Big West) on Friday, May 7 on the campus of Pepperdine. The winner will face the host Waves (20-3, 8-0 WCC) or Northern Arizona (14-4, 3-0 Big Sky) on Saturday, May 8.
 
Stanford faced UC Santa Barbara earlier this season on March 24, which ended in a 7-0 Cardinal victory.
 
NCAA first and second round competition features four teams playing in a single-elimination format. The 16 regional winners will advance to the USTA National Campus in Orlando, Florida, where the eight teams will compete for the national championship May 16-22.